Definition

A type of fat found in the body and in foods, made from glycerol and three fatty acids. They are the main components of oils and fats.

Example

High levels of triglycerides in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease.

Conversation

I've been reading a lot about health lately, especially about triglycerides.

Oh really? What did you find out?

I learned that high levels of triglycerides can be bad for your heart health.

Yeah, that makes sense. It's important to keep an eye on those numbers.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Triglyceride → It is formed from "tri-" (meaning three), "glycerol" (from Greek "glyceron", meaning sweet), and "-ide" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a compound). The word refers to a compound made up of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule.

Memory Tip

Think of 'three' ('tri-') fatty acids connected to a 'sweet' ('glycerol') molecule, which helps you remember that triglycerides are made of three parts.

Visually Confused Words